Not all finals live up to their billing and are often an anti-climax. However every few years we get a classic. We’ve selected eleven of our favourites from over the years.
11. Real Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 2001-02
How could this be left out? Zidane scores one of the best goals of all time. Instead of marking Zidane, Michael Ballack was casually jogging back. Not good enough for a Champions League final mate. The rest is history.
10. Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid – 2013-14
The way Real Madrid came back from one nil down to destroy Ateltico. All the big name players came through at the right moment.
9. Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 on pens) – 2007-08
John Terry missing must have made millions of non-Chelsea fans the happiest people in the world. A tight and tactical game with plenty of chances. The best two teams in England at the time. A real shame that Drogba was sent off.
8. Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal – 2005-06
Back when Sol Campbell used to play for Arsenal and Ronaldhino used to set up Eto’o. Arsenal had their chances to win the game. Henry and Freddie Ljungberg should’ve scored when they were 1-0.
7. Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United – 2010-11
That final when Manchester United never showed up. Barcelona at their peak demonstrated why they were the best team in the world. Pedro, Messi and Villa all on the score sheet. To be fair Man Utd never had a chance.
6. Dortmund 3-1 Juventus – 1996-97
Dortmund completely over-powering Juventus into shock. Despite Del Piero scoring a cracker. Always beware of the underdog.
5. Barcelona 3-1 Juventus – 2014-15
This Barcelona team features the most prolific attacking line-up off all time, Messi, Neymar and Suarez. The counter attack for the third left Juventus playing musical chairs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUGtb2R2Cs4
4. Real Madrid 7–3 Eintracht Frankfurt – 1959-60
Played at Hampden Park (Scotland), this is the highest ever scoring final with Puskas getting four of the ten goals. The final it self was witnessed by 125,000 fans. It’s not likely that modern football will witness anything like this ever again.
3. AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona – 1993-94
This AC Milan team had everything. Check out the build up play for the first goal. Barcelona who? There was a time when they weren’t the benchmark. Losing 4-0 not easy to take especially in the final. It could have easily been 6 or 7 the way AC played that night. Perhaps the most one-sided final of all time.
2. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich – 1998-99
In classic ‘Fergie time’ style Manchester United held on to scrape two goals in the dying minutes. That was the treble winning year where they also won the Premier League and FA Cup. The Red Devil’s were untouchable that season. They definitely had luck on their side. All the champions need a little luck.
1. Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (3-2 pens) – 2004-05
No surprise here then. This final played out like a Hollywood epic. Worst night to be a AC Milan and Pirlo fan. By half time everyone pretty much thought it was over. All due credit to Rafa and the players for never giving up. Proof that the game isn’t over til the final whistle.
